Trojans Home Favorites vs. Longhorns

The home-and-home series between the Texas Longhorns and the USC Trojans was scheduled way back in August 2010 when Mack Brown and Lane Kiffin were the teams’ head coaches. Seven years later, it’s Tom Herman and Clay Helton at the helm of two of the most storied college football programs.

The Trojans are pegged as 17-point favorites at home with an OVER/UNDER of 67 points for Saturday’s game. USC’s totals in its first two weeks have been 80 (vs. Western Michigan) and 66 (vs. Stanford). Texas and Maryland combined for 92 points in Week 1, while the Longhorns posted 56 points in their shutout win over San Jose State last weekend.

Don’t overlook the Longhorns’ blowout win over the Spartans. San Jose State scored 46 points through the first two weeks of the season including 22 against South Florida. The shutout came a week after the Terrapins posted 51 points on the Longhorns.

Texas starting quarterback Shane Buechele is considered questionable to suit up on Saturday after he missed Week 2 with a bruised shoulder. If he can’t play, freshman trigger Sam Ehlinger – 15-for-27 passing for 222 yards and a touchdown vs. SJSU – will get another shot.

Longhorns Rush Attack Could be Key

If you follow the trends, the quarterback and passing game may not matter as much as the Longhorns’ rush attack and Chris Warren III’s production. The junior tailback racked up 166 yards on 16 carries with two scores last week. The Trojans rush defense ranks 109th as they have allowed 216.5 yards per game through two weeks.

Despite quarterback Sam Darnold (74.6 CMP%) being in the Heisman Trophy discussion, the Trojans rush offense has excelled this season. They are averaging better than 269 yards as a unit per game. Lead back Ronald Jones II is averaging 6.7 yards per carry with five touchdowns in two games. Maryland rushed for 263 yards with four touchdowns against Texas in their Week 1 win.